Key developments since May 2003: The rebel New People’s Army
continued to use improvised landmines. The Armed Forces attributed two landmine
incidents to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, but the MILF denied involvement.
The media attributed three landmine incidents to the Abu Sayyaf Group in June
and July 2003. In September 2003, the Revolutionary Workers Party of
Mindanao/Revolutionary People’s Army signed the Geneva Call Deed of
Commitment banning antipersonnel mines. A new landmine ban bill was filed in
the House in August 2004.
Key developments since 1999: The Philippines ratified the Mine Ban
Treaty on 15 February 2000 and it entered into force on 1 August 2000. Three
landmine ban bills were tabled in the House from 2000-2003, but none were acted
on. Three rebel groups have used antipersonnel mines or improvised explosive
devices: New People’s Army, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and Abu Sayyaf
Group. Use by the MILF violated its written commitments to a mine ban in March
2000 and April 2002. Three rebel groups (MILF, the Revolutionary Workers Party
of the Philippines/Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade, and the
Revolutionary Workers Party of Mindanao/Revolutionary People’s Army) have
signed the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment banning antipersonnel mines.
Mine Ban Policy
The Republic of the Philippines signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December
1997, ratified on 15 February 2000 and the treaty entered into force on 1 August
2000. The Philippines has no domestic implementing legislation. Landmine ban
bills tabled in 2000 (House Bill 222), 2001 (House Bill 346), and 2003 (House
Bill 6043) were not enacted as they were considered a low
priority.[1]
On 31 August 2004, in the 13th Congress, Akbayan Party
Representatives Mario Joyo Aguja, Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel and Loretta
Ann Rosales filed House Bill 2675 known as “An Act Providing for a Total
Ban on Anti-personnel Landmines, for other Prohibitions or Restrictions on the
Use of Landmines, Booby-Traps and other Devices, for Creation of a Philippine
Coordinating Committee on Landmines, and for Related Purposes.” On 9
September 2004, House Bill 2675 passed through the First Reading and was
referred to the Committee on Public Order and Security for further deliberations
and hearings.[2]
The Philippines was one of the core group of governments that took the lead
in developing and promoting the Mine Ban Treaty, and actively participated in
the Ottawa Process. It has voted in support of every pro-ban UN General
Assembly resolution, including UNGA Resolution 58/53 on 8 December 2003. The
Philippines has attended all of the annual meetings of States Parties since
1999, including the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in Bangkok in September
2003. It has also been a regular participant in the intersessional Standing
Committee meetings.
The Philippines submitted its annual Article 7 transparency report on 28
February 2004, covering the period from 8 September 2003 to 15 February 2004.
Its previous report covered the period until 30 April 2003; there is no
explanation for the omission of the months of May-August
2003.[3]
The Philippines was part of the Bangkok Regional Action Group (BRAG) formed
in September 2002 to promote the mine ban in the Asia-Pacific region,
particularly in the lead up to the Bangkok Meeting of States Parties in
September 2003. The Philippines has participated in regional landmine seminar
in Cambodia (March 2003), Thailand (May 2002), and Malaysia, (August 2001).
The Philippines has not engaged in the extensive discussions that States
Parties have had on matters of interpretation and implementation related to
Articles 1, 2, and 3. Thus, the Philippines has not made known its views on
issues related to joint military operations with non-States Parties, antivehicle
mines with sensitive fuzes or antihandling devices, and the permissible number
of mines retained for training. But in January 2002, the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) Southern Command spokesperson stated that the United States
would not bring landmines for the joint military training exercises and
operations that began the next month, and the Director for Training of the
Philippine Army confirmed that no antipersonnel mines would be used in the
exercises.[4]
The Philippines is a party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons and
ratified Amended Protocol II on 12 June 1997. It attended the Fifth Annual
Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II on 26 November 2003 and
submitted its annual Article 13 report.
The Philippines reports that courses on International Humanitarian Law and
its relevant instruments, including CCW Amended Protocol II and the Mine Ban
Treaty, are part of the training curriculum of the
AFP.[5]
The Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines (PCBL) has been actively involved in
monitoring the government’s implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty and in
engaging non-state actors in a landmine ban. PCBL co-chairs the ICBL Non-State
Actors Working Group, which in cooperation with Geneva Call held a workshop on
engaging non-state actors in a landmine ban and a public briefing during the
Fifth Meeting of States
Parties.[6]
Production, Transfer, Stockpiling, Use
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has declared that it has never used
antipersonnel mines in its fight against the country’s communist and Moro
insurgent groups. The Philippines may have been a minor producer of
antipersonnel mines in the
past.[7] It has never exported
mines. It imported Claymore-type mines from the US in the past. The
Philippines declared that it disposed of its entire inventory of 2,460 Claymore
mines in July 1998 and that since then there has been no acquisition,
procurement or manufacturing of landmines by the
AFP.[8]
However, a fact-finding commission report claims that in July 2003 a mutinous
group of young military officers from elite forces, named the Magdalo group,
used Claymore mines. The Magdalo group, with more than 300 heavily armed
soldiers, took hold of the Hotel/Residence building in Makati City, Metro Manila
to protest against the current administration and the anomalies of the military
system. The commission reported that the group planted Claymore mines around
the building and in its
vicinity.[9] The alleged mines
are being used as evidence in the criminal case against the Magdalo
group.[10]
In 2002, the PCBL had received other reports indicating that some troops from
an elite unit of the AFP still possessed Claymore
mines.[11] In 2003, an officer
told PCBL that some soldiers keep Claymore mines in their personal possession,
and in some instances, have used Claymore mines in
operations.[12] The Mine Ban
Treaty does not ban Claymore mines outright; while prohibiting use of Claymore
mines with a tripwire, it does not prohibit use in a command-detonated mode.
The AFP reported the recovery of landmines and improvised explosive devices
(IEDs) in different parts of the country, indicating continuing although limited
use and production of mines by some armed non-state actors in the country. From
May 2003 to May 2004, a total of 29 improvised mines were recovered in nine
incidents.[13] Nineteen were
improvised Claymore mines, most of which were seized in a raid by the armed
forces of a suspected arms dealer in Nueva Ecija, Central
Luzon.[14] Two more improvised
Claymore mines were recovered after an encounter with the New People’s
Army in Compostela Valley.[15]
Eight other improvised mines were found in different parts in
Maguindanao.[16] All of the
improvised Claymore mines were designed to be command detonated. Other
improvised mines included a pressure type made from 81mm mortar ammunition and a
double priming antivehicle mine consisting of about 17 kilos of
explosives.[17]
Rebel Use
New People’s Army (NPA) The New People’s Army, which is
the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National
Democratic Front (NDF), has continued to use improvised landmines. From May
2003 to May 2004, there were reports of six landmine-related incidents
attributed to the NPA, which resulted in at least 35 casualties. Most are
antivehicle mine incidents and several may have involved remote control or
command detonation devices. The NPA has stated on several occasions that it uses
improvised antivehicle and antipersonnel mines only in command-detonated mode.
In the previous reporting period, May 2002 to May 2003, there were also six
landmine incidents allegedly involving
NPA.[18] There were a total of
eight incidents from 1999 to March 2002.
In Southern Luzonon 19 August 2003, a jeep with soldiers from the
19th Special Forces Battalion hit a landmine along the road of
Barangay Malitbog, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro. Four people
died.[19] The landmine
reportedly was planted by NPA in a pothole in the road. Also in August 2003 in
Baganga, Davao Oriental, a truck of the Army 30th Special Forces
Company was struck by a mine, killing two
soldiers.[20]
In Sitio Dasuran, Golden Valley, Mabini, Compostela Valley, on 1 February
2004, a soldier from the 72nd Infantry Battalion who was engaged in a
combat operation tripped an improvised landmine and was wounded. NPA left
behind at the battle site two homemade mines of three kilos
each.[21] Later in February
2004, in the Visayas, in Barangay Bangad, Milagros, Masbate, nine policemen were
killed and three others were seriously wounded when their vehicle hit a
landmine. NPA spokesperson Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal said that the
NPA’s Romullo Jallores Command could have laid the mine and detonated it
by remote control.[22]
In April 2004, it was reported that at least 10 NPA rebels were killed and
six wounded when a landmine they were planting exploded on a highway in Agusan
del Sur province in the southern
Philippines.[23] In March 2004,
the AFP reported that the Southern Mindanao Region Command of the NPA
prematurely detonated an improvised landmine laid against troops that were
approaching their position in Barangay Dagohoy, Davao del Norte; no casualties
resulted.[24]
In 2002, NPA rebels in Cateel killed at least 18 government soldiers using
improvised landmines.[25]
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) In March 2000 in Geneva, the
MILF became one of the first rebel groups to sign the Geneva Call Deed of
Commitment for a landmine
ban.[26] Following a Geneva
Call fact-finding mission, MILF signed a revised and expanded “Deed of
Commitment under Geneva Call for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel
Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action”on 7 April 2002. At
a Non-State Actors roundtable in September 2002, a MILF representative declared
that it has no more stocks of antipersonnel mines, and said, “We have
already stopped using, acquiring and producing such inhuman weapons since we
signed the first Deed of
Commitment.”[27]
However, MILF reportedly continued to use landmines and improvised explosive
devices, planting them around their camps or using them against AFP soldiers
during pursuit operations. Ten incidents were attributed to MILF in 2000 and
early 2001. No incidents were reported during the cease-fire starting in August
2001, but before the escalation of the fighting in 2003 there were two other
landmine incidents involving MILF.
The AFP attributed two landmine incidents in Central Mindanao to the MILF
during the period from April 2003 to March
2004.[28] On 22 April 2003,
while conducting clearing operations, a soldier from the Marine Battalion
stepped on a landmine at Barangay Bagoinged, Pagalungan, Maguindanao. Four
personnel were wounded and were brought to a military hospital in Awang,
Cotabato. On 15 May 2003 an armored vehicle in a convoy of the Marine
Brigadehit a landmine on a road in Barangay Bulul, Pikit, Cotabato. A
wounded Sergeant of the 73rd Marine Company was brought to a military
hospital in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao for treatment. An investigation by
the 6th Infantry Division of the Explosives and Ordnance Division
disclosed that the landmine was a 25 kilograms pressure type-firing device, with
picric acid as the main
charge.[29]
The MILF has denied involvement in both incidents. It also denied a news
report that the MILF has recently trained NPA rebels to manufacture explosives,
landmines, and M79 grenade
launchers.[30] MILF Chairman Al
Haj Murad described this report as “utterly false and ridiculous”
and reiterated that the MILF will continue to abide by its commitment to ban
antipersonnel landmines.[31]
A media report attributed a third incident to MILF. In April 2003, three
people were killed and four injured in a landmine explosion while hiking in
Misamis Occidental; two of those killed were militiamen, but the others were
civilians.[32]
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) The Abu Sayyaf (Bearer of the Sword) is a
radical Islamic armed group. The last reported landmine-related incident linked
to the Abu Sayyaf Group occurred in July 2003. The ASG was accused of laying
landmines and/or victim-activated IEDs on the southern island of Lugus.
Reportedly, two civilians were injured in separate incidents, on 29 June and 3
July 2003.[33] In
another incident in July, a soldier was killed by a landmine supposedly laid by
Abu Sayyaf during a pursuit operation on the island of
Jolo.[34] More
widespread use of landmines by ASG was reported in 2000, as one media article,
citing intelligence sources, said Abu Sayyaf planted 3,000 homemade mines around
their camps in
Talipao.[35]
Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao (Revolutionary Workers
Party of Mindanao)/Revolutionary People’s Army (RPM-M/RPA) On 11
September 2003, the RPM-M/RPA, a breakaway faction of a communist group, signed
the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment. The RPM-M/RPA agreed to undertake stockpile
destruction, mine clearance, victim assistance, mine awareness and various forms
of mine action and committed to cooperate in the monitoring and verification of
its engagements. There have been no reports of mine use by the
RPM-M/RPA.[36]
Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao (Revolutionary Workers
Party of the Philippines)/Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade
(RPM-P/RPA-ABB) The RPA-ABB is a breakaway group from the New
People’s Army. It forged a cease-fire and peace agreement with the
Philippine government in November 2000. On 21 July 2002, it signed the revised
and expanded Geneva Call Deed of Commitment in Metro
Manila.[37] There are no
reports of use of landmines by this group.
There were two other landmine incidents that have not been attributed to a
particular group. In January 2004, the mayor of Magsaysay and a policeman were
injured after their vehicle hit a homemade
landmine.[38] In May 2004, a
marine battalion commander and three soldiers were injured when their vehicle
struck a landmine in Panamao,
Jolo.[39]
Landmine Problem and Mine Action
In November 2003, the government reiterated that no specific areas in the
country can be considered mine-affected. It maintains that improvised mines,
booby-traps, and other explosive devices used by insurgent groups are
immediately cleared by AFP explosive ordnance disposal units and bomb demolition
teams of the Philippines National
Police.[40]
Every year the AFP conducts training courses on explosive ordnance disposal
and holds bomb threat prevention seminars for military and civilians, as part of
the mine awareness education program. The AFP has deployed seven detachments of
explosive disposal experts to educate and protect civilians and soldiers from
the threat of improvised explosive devices and
mines.[41]
In 2001, the Philippine PCBL proposed to the government and MILF a joint
clearance operation as a measure for rehabilitation and
confidence-building.[42] The
MILF committed to the proposed joint demining initiative in September
2002.[43] On 12 May 2004 the
government replied positively to PCBL’s proposal and said that it will
consider its integration into the peace process. The government panel
conducting the peace talks with the MILF suggested that the PCBL: (1)
collaborate with the Joint Government-MILF Coordinating Committeeon the
Cessation of Hostilities; (2) establish an effective reporting system on
landmines and unexploded ordnance, involving residents, local government units,
and local authorities; and, (3) increase the awareness of the community through
an education campaign and information dissemination to be conducted by the
Government-MILF Local Monitoring
Teams.[44]
The Philippines has not made any financial contributions to international
mine action programs.
Landmine Casualties and Survivor Assistance
In 2003, 21 new landmine casualties were reported; ten people killed and
eleven others injured, including one civilian killed and six
injured.[45]
Mine casualties continue to be reported in 2004 with 19 killed and another 16
injured to May.[46] UXO
casualties are also reported in 2004. In March, in Pikit, North Cotabato, a UXO
exploded killing a farmer and seriously injuring his brother while they were
plowing a field. The local parish assisted with the hospital costs.[47]
The total number of mine/UXO casualties in the Philippines is not known. In
2002, there were at least 21 new mine/UXO casualties, including at least 18
government soldiers killed by improvised landmines in
Cateel.[48] In 2001, 22 new
mine/UXO casualties were reported; two killed and 20 injured, including five
civilians.[49] In 2000, the AFP
reported 64 new landmine casualties; eleven killed and 53 injured, including 19
civilians.[50] Between 1991 and
1995, at least 19 people were killed and another 50 injured in landmine
incidents, including 48
civilians.[51]
The government reports, “The medical services of the AFP provide
medical treatment and rehabilitation for soldiers who are injured and/or
disabled by landmines and other explosive devices. Civilian victims can avail
of medical treatment from public and private hospitals and the rehabilitation
programs provided by the Department of Health and the Department of Social
Welfare and
Development.”[52]
AFP personnel and civilians casualties are brought to the nearest military or
government hospital for immediate treatment. In general, the Department of
Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development provide
rehabilitation programs for mine survivors. AFP landmine casualties in Central
Mindanao are transported by helicopter to the Camp Navarro General Hospital for
emergency treatment, and later referred to the V. Luna AFP Medical Center in
Quezon City for prostheses and
rehabilitation.[53]
Although medical care is available, many civilians cannot afford it. Since
2000, the International Committee of the Red Cross has provided both medical
supplies and financial support to health facilities and civilians in Mindanao.
Surgical treatment and subsidies for medical care has been provided for more
than 898 civilians injured in the conflict: 293 in 2003; 347 in 2002; 58 in
2001; and more than 200 in 2000. In addition, 32 amputees were fitted with
prostheses, and 74 crutches and four wheelchairs were distributed in 2003; 14
prostheses were fitted and 96 crutches distributed in
2002.[54]
In May 2003, Handicap International (HI) started a program in Mindanao to
train health and social workers in evacuee camps to identify persons with
disabilities and refer them to existing services. In November 2003, work began
on setting up a new orthopedic workshop. Future plans include a psychological
support program and data collection on victims of the conflict through a network
of NGOs.[55] In January 2004,
HI received a grant of $43,567 from the Japanese Embassy to support the
establishment of the orthopedic workshop at the Notre Dame Hospital in Cotabato
City in central
Mindanao.[56]
[1] House Bill 6043 prohibiting the use,
manufacture, sale, and deployment of antipersonnel mines was filed in the 12th
Congress on 26 May 2003. But after the First Reading, it remained pending at
the Committee on Public Order and
Security. [2] Telephone interview with
Cristina Roperez, Political Affairs Assistant of Representative Mario Joyo
Aguja, Quezon City, 9 September
2004. [3] Previously, the Philippines
submitted an incomplete report on 12 September 2000 (with no time period
listed), then full reports on 13 August 2001 (for 12 September 2000 to 29 April
2001); on 5 April 2002 (for 29 April 2001 to 4 April 2002); and on 30 April 2003
(for 30 April 2002 to 30 April
2003). [4] Interview with Maj. Noel
Detoyato, Southern Command Headquarters, Zamboanga City, 25 January 2002;
Academe Meets Government Series 2002, “The Return of G.I. Joe, US Troops
in Mindanao,” organized by the University of the Philippines Third World
Studies Center, Philippine Center for Policy Studies, Quezon City, 7 February
2002. [5] CCW Amended Protocol II
Article 13 Report, Form A, 27 November
2003. [6] The workshop was entitled
“Looking Back, Looking Forward: A Workshop on Engaging Non-State Actors in
a Landmine Ban,” Bangkok, Thailand, 13 September
2003. [7] See Landmine Monitor Report
1999, p. 421. [8] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2003, p. 397. [9] The Report of
the Fact Finding Commission, 17 October 2003, p.17. The Commission was formed
pursuant to Administrative Order No. 78 of the President of the Republic of the
Philippines, dated 30 July 2003. [10]
PCBL was advised to seek approval from the court hearing the criminal case
against the Magdalo group to examine and photograph the alleged Claymore mines.
Written response from Maj. Gen. Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr., Deputy Chief of
Staff for Operations, J3, Armed Forces of the Philippines, 10 June 2004.
[11] See Landmine Monitor Report
2002, p. 413. [12] Interview with a
military officer, Manila, August
2003. [13] Landmine Monitor
researcher’s tally based on news reports and the Armed Forces of the
Philippines reports given to the PCBL, namely: Response from Maj. Gen.
Hermogenes Esperon, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, providing data
requested by PCBL, 1 October 2003; AFP Report, “Landmining Incidents,
Calendar Year 2003,” contained in a written response to Atty. Soliman
Santos, Jr., 19 March 2004. [14]
“Ecija raid yields signs of suicide bombing plot,” Philippine Daily
Inquirer, 7 March 2004, p. A17. [15]
C. V. Esguerra, “3 rebels killed, 1 nabbed in clash,” Philippine
Daily Inquirer, 26 April 2004, p.
A3. [16] “Landmining Incidents,
Calendar Year 2003,” 19 March
2004. [17] PCBL visit to the 60th
Infantry Battalion in Compostela Valley, 1 April 2004.
[18] See Landmine Monitor Report
2003, pp. 397-398. [19] Ronnie
Lorejo, “NPA landmine explodes kills 4 Mindoro soldiers,” Philippine
Daily Inquirer, 20 August 2003, p.
15. [20] Anthony Allada and Ferdinand
Zuasola, “Army slams NPA for attack on 5 engineers,” Philippine
Daily Inquirer, 21 August 2003. [21]
Written response from Maj. General Hermogenes Esperon, 19 March 2004.
[22] Joyce Mejillano, Michael Jaucian
and Marlon Ramos, PDI Southern Luzon Bureau, “Cops run over NPA land mine;
9 killed,” Philippine Daily Inquirer, 17 February 2004, p.
A5. [23] “10 rebels killed while
planting landmines in Philippines,” Xinhua (Manila), 1 May 2004. The
report cited Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero, Military Information
Chief. [24] “Special Report re
Landmine Explosion,” a report prepared for the Commanding Officer of the
Task Force Davao by the 73rd Infantry (Neutralizer) Battalion, of the 4th
Infantry Division, Philippine Army, 25 March
2004. [25] Response from Maj. Gen.
Hermogenes Esperon, 1 October
2003. [26] In 1976 the MILF reportedly
banned the use of landmines on the basis that it contradicts the teachings of
Islam. In 1997 it formally agreed to stop the use of antipersonnel mines. See
Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p.
429. [27] Statement by Al-Haj Murad
Ebrahim, MILF Vice-chair for Military Affairs and Bangsamoro Islamic Armed
Forces Chief of Staff, at the Roundtable Discussion on Engaging Non-State Actors
in a Landmine Ban, Geneva, 17 September
2003. [28] “Landmining
Incidents, Calendar Year 2003,” 19 March
2004. [29]
Ibid. [30] Jaime Laude, “MILF
men train Reds in making explosives,” The Philippine Star, 29 January
2004. [31] Written response from
Lanang Ali, MILF Legal Counsel, 23 March
2004. [32] “MILF vows prove of
rebs’ ties with Bin Laden,” Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10 April
2003, p. A14. [33] “Police
tighten security in southern Philippines after two injured by land mines,”
Xinhua (Zamboanga City), 7 July
2003. [34] “Military-Abu Sayyaf
clash kills six in southern Philippines,” Xinhua (Manila), 3 July
2003. [35] Yael Shahar, “Libya
and the Jolo Hostages, Seeking a new image, or polishing the old one?” 20
August 2000. See Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 475, for more details on ASG
use in 2000. [36] “Deed of
Commitment under Geneva Call for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel
Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action.” signed by Harry Tubongbanwa,
Chairperson of RPM-M, and Soliman Santos, Jr., Regional Director for Asia of
Geneva Call, 11 September 2003 in Mindanao and Manila. The Deed was deposited at
the Government of the Republic and Canton of Geneva on 17 October
2003. [37] The RPA-ABB and its party,
the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas (RPM-P) signed the first
version of the Deed in March 2000 in
Geneva. [38] Joel M. Sy Egco,
“NPA plants land mines,” Manila Standard, 12 January 2004.
[39] “Violence ushers in
elections,” Manila Standard, 11 May
2004. [40] CCW Amended Protocol II
Article 13 Report, Form B and G, 27 November 2003. The Philippines Article 7
Report, Form C, 15 February 2004, also indicates no mined
areas. [41] Article 7 Report, Form I,
15 February 2004. [42] “Working
Paper for GRP-MILF Joint Mine Clearance as a measure for rehabilitation and
confidence building: A proposal of the PCBL,” 18 September
2001. [43] “Implementing
Guidelines for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Pursuant to its
‘Deed of Commitment under Geneva Call for the Adherence to a Total Ban on
Anti-Personnel Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action,’” signed by
Lanang S. Ali, MILF legal counsel, and Soliman Santos, Jr., regional director
for Asia of Geneva Call, in Geneva, 20 September 2002.
[44] Written response from Secretary
Silvestre C. Afable, Jr., Chairman, Government Negotiating Panel for Talks with
the MILF, 12 May 2004. [45] For
details see Rebel Use section in this
report. [46]
Ibid. [47] Interview with Butch Gilman
and Fr. Bert Layson, Immaculate Conception Parish, Pikit, North Cotabato, April
2004. [48] AFP report, “Landmine
Incidents, Calendar Year 2002;” Response from Maj. Gen. Hermogenes
Esperon, 1 October 2003. [49] See
Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p.
414. [50] See Landmine Monitor Report
2001, p. 476. [51] See Landmine
Monitor Report 1999, p. 431. [52] CCW
Amended Protocol II Article 13 Report, Form B, 26 November
2003. [53] Interview with Maj. Noel
Detoyato, Southern Command, 25 January
2002. [54] ICRC, “Annual Report
2003,” Geneva, June 2004, p. 152; “Annual Report 2002,” June
2003, p. 167; “Annual Report 2001,” June 2002, p. 187; “Annual
Report 2000,” July 2001, p.
127. [55] Handicap International,
“Program Summary: Philippines 2004,” October 2003. HI has worked in
the Philippines since 1988 to help establish 15 orthopedic workshops around the
country. [56] Japan Information and
Cultural Center, “Japan ODA helps build an orthopedic and prosthetic
workshop in Cotabato City,” Press Release, Embassy of Japan in the
Philippines, 14 January 2004.
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